When We Were Kings
Synopsis
The untold story of the Rumble in the Jungle.
It's 1974. Muhammad Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Forman is ten years younger and the heavyweight champion of the world. Promoter Don King wants to make a name for himself and offers both fighters five million dollars apiece to fight one another, and when they accept, King has only to come up with the money. He finds a willing backer in Mobutu Sese Suko, the dictator of Zaire, and the "Rumble in the Jungle" is set, including a musical festival featuring some of America's top black performers, like James Brown and B.B. King.
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This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.
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The story of Muhammad Ali is one of the sporting stories of the 20th Century. This film documents his most famous fight, and the historical and political context that it took place in, as in deep in the heart of Zaire, Ali fought a fighter they said he could not beat, George Foreman. And even now, nearly forty years later, the actual fight is still a wonder to behold. Featuring a collection of excellent music from the likes of James Brown and BB King, talking heads that clearly know what they are talking about, and a rather beautiful closing montage of photographs and videos of Ali knockouts, this is a film worthy of not just one of the greatest sportsman ever, but one of the most influential cultural figures of all time.
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I had either never known or just plain forgotten who won this fight, the Rumble in the Jungle, and it made this documentary all the more exciting. All the talking heads speak as if this event was burned into their brain as one of the most memorable and spellbinding times of their lives. The music adds so much spirit, Ali's gab is so fluid and charismatic, and Foreman is a titanic and authoritative presence. There's just so much to latch onto and be engulfed by.
Surely one of the best documentaries of the 90s, and an absolute must-see. Unfortunately the DVD release is not very good, or even easy to come by anymore. This would surely be deserving of a Criterion treatment. If you're reading this and can make that happen, giddyup.
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“Ali Boma Ye” (Ali Kill Him)
was the chant that accompanied Muhammad Ali’s boastful mouth that he’s gonna nail down George Foreman in the greatest fight of the century with Don King as the promoter. Ali said that he’s gonna knock him down by dancing swiftly across the ring, making Foreman looked like a fool trying to catch up with Ali’s shadow. He also said that while Foreman was busy with his ‘blindness’, Ali would shower him with his fast jabs. When the day came, Ali really bumped into his worst nightmare, a bigger opponent who couldn’t seem to be dominated easily. When We Were Kings is not an ordinary fight’s documentary, it is also a great musical piece and…
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<κλισέ> Πολύ παραπάνω από αγώνα μεταξύ δύο κορυφαίων μποξέρ</κλισέ>
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Ali is such an entertaining character. His personality really show in this.
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This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.
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This film has some grreat moments that would be internet memes these days
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Simply fantastic sports documentary about the moments leading up to the Ali vs Forman bout. The film captures a great sense of the times with inclusion of a music narrative but also pieces together the relevance of the promotion of a famous fight and a culture as well.
Likes: Significant characters, Music tapastry and a great story.
Dislikes: Would have enjoyed more "after the fight" footage.
Group It With: Hoop Dreams, The Smashing Machine -
Enjoyable documentary.
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The Pride Inducing Spirit of Muhammad Ali
For starters, it is not possible to sum up, or even comprehend the spirit of Ali in it’s entirety, let alone sum it up in a few paragraphs. Here is just an attempt at the pride aspect looking at a few facets.
I watched When We Were Kings about the Rumble in the Jungle fight of 1974 between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, acclaimed as one of the greatest fights ever by many.
Muhammad Ali is shining, he is strong, he is smooth as grease, he is the epitome of sexiness. He is the prophet of the blacks. That’s what he is really. In all the clips from the past I have seen…
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This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.
-
The story of Muhammad Ali is one of the sporting stories of the 20th Century. This film documents his most famous fight, and the historical and political context that it took place in, as in deep in the heart of Zaire, Ali fought a fighter they said he could not beat, George Foreman. And even now, nearly forty years later, the actual fight is still a wonder to behold. Featuring a collection of excellent music from the likes of James Brown and BB King, talking heads that clearly know what they are talking about, and a rather beautiful closing montage of photographs and videos of Ali knockouts, this is a film worthy of not just one of the greatest sportsman ever, but one of the most influential cultural figures of all time.